UPDATED TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2025 9:35 AM EST

Devastating tornadoes swept through Missouri and Kentucky from Friday, May 16 into Saturday, May 17. Hard hit areas include the St. Louis area and cities in Laurel and Polaski County, Kentucky, including Somerset and London. The storm resulted in at least 27 fatalities in both states combined, numerous injuries, and widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Power outages affected over 100,000 residents at the height of the storm, and public transportation services were disrupted.

In partnership with Procter & Gamble and Walmart, on Sunday May 18, Matthew 25: Ministries deployed their Disaster Response Team to the affected areas to provide essential services and supplies to impacted communities. Deployment services included laundry via the Tide Loads of Hope Mobile Laundry Units, offering free laundry services to households where lives have been disrupted by the disaster, and shower and restroom trailers. Additionally, Matthew 25: Ministries deployed the Duracell PowerForward truck, equipped with device charging stations and loaded with batteries to help provide community members with the resources they need to power essential devices. Matthew 25 also distributed critical relief supplies such as personal care and hygiene products, cleaning items, first aid kits, tarps, and batteries throughout impacted communities. We will continue to work with our partners in the disaster region to support relief efforts for as long as the need remains.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones or have been impacted by these storms and tornadoes. We will work hard to give hope to those in need by providing essential supplies and services.” – Tim Mettey, Mattthew 25: Ministries CEO

DISASTER RELIEF RESOURCES

If you or someone you know has been impacted by the Midwest Tornadoes, check our online Disaster Relief Resource Map for resources in your area.

RECENT UPDATES FROM THE TEAM

5.25.25 London, KY and St. Louis, MO | The disaster response team continued operations in London, KY and St. Louis, MO on Sunday, May 25, completing approximately 55 loads of laundry and offering 10 showers. In addition, they distributed essential relief supplies to the surrounding communities, consisting of approximately 1,200 rolls of paper products, 350 personal care kits, 90 first aid and safety kits, 20 packs of diapers, 480 boxes of detergent pods, 30 detergent pod samples, 1,670 batteries, 430 portable chargers, and additional cleanup supplies and tools, including chainsaws, drills, extension cords, and more.

5.24.25 London, KY and St. Louis, MO | The disaster response team continued operations in London, KY and St. Louis, MO on Saturday, May 24. They completed approximately 130 loads of laundry and 5 showers. They also distributed essential supplies, consisting of approximately 700 rolls of paper products, 80 personal care kits, 35 first aid and safety, 30 boxes of detergent pod, 10 boxes of diapers, 2,220 batteries, 130 portable chargers, and more.

5.23.25 London, KY and St. Louis, MO | The disaster response team continued operations in London, KY and St. Louis, MO on Friday, May 23. They completed approximately 125 loads of laundry and offered 5 showers. They also distributed essential relief supplies to the areas impacted by the tornadoes, consisting of approximately 1,025 rolls of paper products, 75 personal care kits, 60 first aid and safety kits, 140 bags of detergent pods, 25 boxes of diapers, 15 bottles of dish soap, 3,000 batteries, 260 portable chargers, and more.

WAYS TO HELP

• Donate online or mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242 (100% of donated funds designated for the 2025 Midwest Tornadoes will be used for the purpose intended).

• Cases of bottled water: 12 and 24 count
• Personal care products: Antibacterial soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, body wash, deodorant, lotion, etc.
• Cleaning supplies: Laundry detergents, general cleaner, sponges, bleach (powdered form is preferred), mops, scrub brushes, buckets, rubber gloves, etc.
• Paper products: Toilet paper, paper towels, etc.
• Baby and infant supplies: Diapers, wipes, diaper rash ointment, baby wash, baby shampoo, baby lotion, etc.
• First-aid items: Bandages, gauze, pads, first aid tape, antiseptic creams, hydrogen peroxide, alcohol, latex gloves, instant cold packs, etc.
• Candles and flashlights: If necessary, please include the appropriate size batteries with any flashlight donation
• Clean-up supplies: Protective eyewear, work gloves, trash bags etc.

Additional Donation Drop-Off Locations:

Donors who would like to designate their financial gifts for the 2025 Midwest Tornadoes may do so by writing “2025 Midwest Tornadoes” in the memo line of their check or by typing it in the “Additional Information” field of the online giving form. Please mail checks to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, OH 45242. 100% of donated funds designated for the 2025 Midwest Tornadoes will be used for the purpose intended.